Objective To investigate the sex differences of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of mid-aged standard and enriched rats. Methods Twenty 14-month Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, 10 female and 10 male rats, were randomly divided into enriched group and standard group. Enriched rats were reared in enriched environment and standard rats were reared in standard environment for 4 months. Then, the total volume of the hippocampal formation and the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampus were quantitatively estimated by transmission electron microscopy and stereological methods. Results The total volume and mean diameter of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of standard female rats were significantly bigger than those of standard male rats (P0.05). The mean diameter of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of enriched female rats was significantly smaller than that of enriched male rats (P0.05). Conclusion The sex differences of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of mid-aged standard and enriched rats are significantly different, which indicates the response to the enriched environment in the mid-aged male and female rats is different.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of short-term enriched environment on the hippocampal formation and the myelinated fibers in the hippocampal formation of mid-aged female rats. Methods Twenty 14-month female SD rats were randomly divided into 10 enriched environment (EE) rats and 10 standard environment (SE) rats. EE rats were reared in enriched environment and SE rats were reared in standard environment for 4 months. Then, five rats were randomly selected from each group. The spatial learning capacity was assessed with Morris water maze. The hippocampal formation and the myelinated fibers in the rat hippocampal formation were quantitatively investigated with transmission electronic microscopy technique and stereological methods. Results Short-term enriched environment enhanced the spatial learning capacity of the mid-aged female rats. The total length and total volume of the myelinated fibers in the hippocampal formation of the EE rats was significantly increased by 43.3% and 47.4%, respectively, when compared to the SE rats. There was no significant difference in the hippocampal volume and the mean diameter of the myelinated fibers in the hippocampal formation between two groups. The increase of the total length of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation was mainly due to the increase of the myelinated fibers with small diameter. Conclusion Short-term enriched environment had significant effects on the spatial learning capacity and the myelinated fibers in the hippocampal formation of middle-aged female rats.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of short-term enriched environment on the hippocampal formation and the myelinated fibers in the hippocampal formation of mid-aged male rats. MethodsTwenty 14-month old male SD rats were randomly divided into enriched group and standard group. Enriched rats were reared in enriched environment and standard rats were reared in standard environment for 4 months. Then, the spatial learning capacity of enriched rats and standard rats was tested with the Morris water maze. After the Morris water maze test, the total volume of the hippocampal formation and the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation were quantitatively estimated with transmission electronic microscopy technique and stereological methods. Results There was not significant difference in the spatial learning capacity between enriched group and standard group. The total volume of the hippocampal formation of enriched rats was not significantly increased by 4.6% when compared with that of standard rats. The total volume, total length and mean diameter of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of enriched rats were significantly increased when compared with those of standard rats. Conclusions Four-months enriched environment significantly affected the myelinated fibers in the hippocampal formation of mid-aged male SD rats. The present results might provide an important theoretical basis for searching the ethology strategy to delay the progress of brain aging in the future.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of exercise on the hippocampal formation and the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of middle-aged rats. MethodsTen 14-month female SD rats were randomly divided into exercise group and sedentary group.Rats in the exercise group were forced to run on a treadmill for 4 months. After 4 months, spatial learning capacity of two group rats was tested using the Morris water maze.Then, the hippocampal formation and the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation were quantitatively estimated using transmission electronic microscopy and stereological techniques. Results Treadmill running enhanced the spatial learning capacity of the rats. The volume of hippocampal formation and the total length of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation were significantly increased after 4 months exercise.However,there was no significant difference in the total volume of the myelinated fibers in the hippocampal formation between the two groups.The absolute distributions of the total length of the myelinated fibers in the hippocampal formation of two groups indicated that the exercise-induced increase of the total length of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation was mainly due to the increase of the myelinated fibers with small diameter. Conclusions Four months running exercise remarkably influence the spatial learning capacity,hippocampal formation and the myelinated fibers in the hippocampal formation of the middle-aged famale SD rats. The present results reveal a potential mechanism for the fact that exercise might improve brain function.

Anti-HIV drugs still remain as the dominant role in the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), because no vaccine was found till today. Owing to structural diversity, few side effects, and abundant resources, natural compounds from traditional Chinese medicines and medicinal plants have unique advantages and good potential in prevention and treatment of AIDS. Many researchers have made great efforts in the field of anti-HIV natural compounds, and have found some natural compounds from traditional Chinese medicines with potent anti-HIV activities. These compounds can be classified into the following categories: alkaloids, coumarins, lignans, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, polysaccharides, proteins and peptides, and polyphenols. However, most of these researches are performed in vitro, and most natural compounds show weak anti-HIV activities and indefinite acting targets. In the paper, we reviewed some natural compounds derived from traditional Chinese medicines with potent anti-HIV activities in recent years.
Alkaloids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Anti-HIV Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Coumarins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; HIV ; drug effects ; Humans ; Lignans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polyphenols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Tannins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Terpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Myocarditis ; complications ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Shock, Cardiogenic ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes in the activity of dendritic cells (DCs) after carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) gene transfection mediated by recombinant adeno-associated virus type2 (rAAV) and tumor cell lysate.

METHODSImmature DCs isolated from peripheral blood monocytes of HLA-A11-positive healthy volunteers were infected with the rAAV carrying CEA gene or loaded with tumor cell lysate. The surface markers of the DCs such as CD40, CD 1alpha, and CD86 were analyzed by flow cytometry. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) in the supernatants of DCs and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) released by the cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) were determined by ELISA detection kit. The specific killing activity of CTL against LoVo cells was assessed by MTT assay.

RESULTSThe DCs following antigen loading with the two methods both highly expressed CD40, CD86 and IL-12, and induced specific CTL that specifically recognized and killed LoVo cells, but the killing effect resulting from rAAV infection of the DCs was much better than that induced by tumor cell lysate loading.

CONCLUSIONBoth methods of antigen loading can induce mature DCs from peripheral blood monocyte cells, but rAAV infection of the DCs can be more effective than tumor cells lysate loading. DCs infected with rAAV may have the potential to serve as an adjuvant immunotherapy for patients with colorectal carcinoma.

B7-2 Antigen ; metabolism ; CD40 Antigens ; metabolism ; Cancer Vaccines ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; therapy ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; metabolism ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Interleukin-12 ; metabolism ; Transfection

Direct DNA delivery procedures (include biolistics method) often resulted in multiple copies of the transgenes in transformants and certain copies of them were rearranged. Integration of multiple copies of the introduced genes was the main reason of gene silencing which meant inhibition or loss of foreign gene expression in filial generations of transformants. In the present work, we compared the influences of maize Ubi-1 promoter and other promoters on copy number of transgenes in maize transgenic plants. Immature embryos from Zea mays L. plants of sib-pollinated of A188 x H99 genotype were used as initial materials. Type- I embryonic calluses derived from preculture of immature embryos were treated on N6 medium containing 0.6 mol/L sucrose for 3 approximately 5 hours and transformed via particle bombardment with PDS1000/He delivery system (Bio-Rad). Bombarded calluses were treated with hyperosmotic N6 medium for 16 approximately 20 hours continuously. Then the cultures were transferred onto normal N6 medium and incubated at 26 degrees C in dark for two weeks and subsequently selected on N6 medium supplemented with 2 or 5 mg/L phosphinothricin (PPT) but without casamino acid for another two weeks. The calluses after selective culture were transferred onto hormone-free MS medium containing 2 or 5 mg/L PPT but without casamino acid, and incubated at 24 degrees C under 16 h illumination for plant regeneration. Regenerated plantlets over 2 cm in height were transferred to Magenta box containing 1/2 hormone-free MS medium. Plantlets over 8 cm in height were transplanted to soil. After growing for one week in greenhouse, the plants were sprayed with 250 mg/L PPT solution. Fertile transgenic maize plants were regenerated and confirmed by Southern blotting and histochemical localization of beta-glucuronidase (GUS) activity. Relations between promoter and copy number of transgenes in transformants were analyzed. Maize transgenic plants possessing an intact copy and another incomplete copy of beta-glucuronidase gene (gus) were obtained in case gus gene under the control of maize Ubi-1 promoter (pUbi:GUS). Simultaneously the co-transformed phosphinothricin acetyltransferase gene (bar) controlled by CaMV 35S promoter in another plasmid (p35S:BAR) also existed with only one copy. When pDB1 and (pUbi:in2) were cobombarded, the regenerated transgenic maize plant exhibited with only one copy of in2 gene too. It suggested that the copy number of transgenes in maize transformants was low if the transgenes controlled by maize Ubi-1 promoter. The possible reason might be that the foreign genes were integrated site-specifically via homologous recombination between Ubi-1 promoter and its endogenous sequences in maize genome, and two cotransformed plasmids had reconstructed as one intact molecule before integrating into maize chromosome. On the contrary, if p35S:BAR was cobom-barded with plasmid pAct:In1 containing rice Act-1 promoter (without maize Ubi-1 promoter), the transgenic maize plants had 4 approximately 8 copies of bar gene. These results reflected that utilization of self gene promoter could reduce the copy number of the transgenes in transgenic plants of certain species itself and avoid the occurrence of gene silencing. T2 seeds have been harvested.
Gene Dosage ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Ubiquitin C ; genetics ; Zea mays ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo find a new method for edge detection and modeling in frontal facial contour image.

METHODSSearching circle-based edge detection algorithm was developed on the basis of Sobel edge detector. Apriori knowledge of the facial contour and searching limitations as the minimum curvature radius, concave-convex property, and maximum edge disconnected distance were used to detect the edge of frontal facial contour. The frontal facial contour model was established with least squares curve fitting methods, and the relationship between the model rank and model precision was analyzed.

RESULTSThe edge detected by the new method was consistent with the actual edge of the facial contour and the irrelevant edge was well eliminated. Variation of the 2,4,10 time models from the actual image were compared, which identified the 10 time model as the best one.

CONCLUSIONThe effectiveness and practicability of this new method for edge detection and modeling has been tested, which provides a theoretic basis for designing facial contouring image system.

Algorithms ; Computer Simulation ; Face ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Models, Anatomic ; Pattern Recognition, Automated ; methods ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surgery, Plastic ; methods

OBJECTIVETo analysis the clinical and pathological characteristics of children with dense deposit disease (DDD).

METHODS12 Children diagnosed as DDD by electron microscope were enrolled in this study. The clinical and pathological data were analyzed.

RESULTSOf the 12 cases, 7 were males and 5 females, mean age 9.1 +/- 3.9 (5-13) years at onset, the duration from onset to renal biopsy was 1 month to 5 years and the follow-up period was 1-9 years. All cases had heavy proteinuria >50 mg/(kg x d), and persistent microscopic hematuria with recurrent gross hematuria during the course. Seven cases had hypertension (> or = 140/100 mm Hg, 1 mm Hg =0. 133 kPa), 5 cases had transient or recurrent abnormal renal function, and mild to severe anemia were observed in 8 cases respectively. All the cases had lower serum C3 (0.15-0.55 g/L). Clinically, 10 cases were diagnosed as nephritic syndrome (one case had partial lipodystrophy at the same time), and 2 cases were diagnosed as acute nephritic syndrome. Immunofluorescence study showed intense deposition of C3 along GBM, TBM and the wall of Bowman's capsule in a ribbon-like pattern and in the mesangial regions as coarse granules in all the cases. Under light microscopy, 9 cases showed the feature of membrane proliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), 1 case with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), 1 case with endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis (EnPGN) and 1 case with proliferative sclerosis (PSGN). Crescents were seen in 3 cases. Under electron microscopy, ribbon-like or linear electron-dense intramembranous deposits were identified in the lamina dense of GBM, and often along TBM and the wall of Bowman's capsule. All patients showed steroid resistance. After methylprednisone treatment, some patients showed transient remission. During the follow- up stage of 1-9 years, 3 cases showed normal urinalysis, 5 cases showed partial remission, 2 cases progressed to end stage renal disease (ESRD) and 2 cases were lost.

CONCLUSIONDDD is an in dependently rare disease with pathological-clinical varieties. Children with DDD presented with persistently lower C3, heavy proteinuria, recurrent gross hematuria and anemia. The characteristic immunopathologic finding is intense deposition of C3 along the GBM. Under electron microscopy, ribbon-like or linear electron-dense deposits in the lamina dense of the GBM, TBM and the wall of Bowman's capsule. Electron microscopic examination to demonstrate the intramembranous dense deposits is definitive diagnosis, regardless of the finding of light microscopy. All of them showed steroid resistant. Patients with steroid and CTX treatment showed some clinical improvement of their urinalysis.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Glomerular Basement Membrane ; pathology ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male